Georg Böhm was one of the most important German organists and composers around the turn of the 18th century, and is considered to have had a major influence on the training of Johann Sebastian Bach.
The compilation focuses on the main nucleus of Böhm’s output, his works for keyboard, and divides equally into those for harpsichord and/or organ. Of chief interest among the pieces for the former instrument are the 11 Suites, works that were probably written for domestic performance, and these are joined by a range of other genres also common to the period. From the French Overture style of the Prelude in F to the art of variation that is the Chaconne in G, Böhm’s compositions abound in inventive detail, and we soon move onto the works for organ – where the composer’s most important contribution to North German keyboard music, that of the chorale partita, comes to the fore.
Simone Stella continues his survey of Pre-Bachian German keyboard works with the complete harpsichord and organ works of Georg Böhm (1661-1733). He is one of the leading harpsichordists and organists of Italy, his earlier issue of the complete keyboard works of Buxtehude received uniform praise in the international press: “Thoroughly imaginative and engaging” (Fanfare), “Convincing and surprisingly” (Klassic.com).”